Messenger - Vol. 4, No. 3, Page 3 1995 The Friends of Goodstay Gardens In April, the Friends of Goodstay Gardens launched a $300,000 campaign tointegrate its magnolia walkway with the grounds of Roxana C. and S. Samuel Arsht Hall, home of the Academy of Lifelong Learning and the Division of Continuing Education on the Wilmington campus. A garden party and the dedication of a commemorative plaque located at the garden entrance marked the start of the public campaign. The Friends already have raised $50,000 toward the goal. The plaque recognizes the vision and generosity of the "accomplished artist and avid gardener Ellen du Pont Wheelwright and her husband, Robert Wheelwright, nationally known landscape architect" who expanded the Tudor-style garden "to reflect beauty, symmetry and lovely color combinations," enhancing the garden further with the magnolia walk in 1937. Originally known as Green Hill Farm and later renamed Bon Sejour. or Goodstay, the estate was bequeathed to the University of Delaware in 1968. Also on exhibit at the dedication was a landscape design to refurbish the entire lower garden, linking it harmoniously with the newer Arsht Hall and its surrounding areas. This physical and horticultural design, by Rodney Robinson, Delaware '74, '75, of CLR Designs Inc. in Philadelphia, was commissioned last year. A major portion of the project will begin next year with the addition of paving, lighting, drainage, walls and steps at Arsht Hall. Soil preparation and the installation of a few larger shade trees will complete this stage, which is estimated to cost about $160,000. Refurbishing of the magnolia walk will begin in 1997 with major planting of trees and shrubs, restoration of the reflecting pool and the addition of benches. This stage is expected to cost about $95,000. Integration of the facility's two parking lots and final plantings will make up the third stage in 1998. According to Helen Eliason, co-chairperson of the Friends of Goodstay Gardens, refurbishing the garden will fulfill a long-held plan to make this area the core of the University's Wilmington campus. Eliason's efforts on behalf of the garden continue a long-standing family tradition of supporting the University. Her husband's uncle, James Bayard Eliason, provided a $3.4 million bequest to UD in 1975. For further information, call Eliason at (302) 573-4450 or write to Friends of Goodstay Gardens in care of the Goodstay Center, 2600 Pennsylvania Ave., Wilmington, DE 19806.